Tommy Ray Polk

TOMMY RAY POLK, 79, passed away April 28, 2019 in his home of complications from Alzheimers disease. He was born February 24,1940 in Hope, Ark. to the late Troy Thomas and Elsie Rae (Brasher) Polk. He attended the University of Arkansas from 1958-1963 on a football scholarship and was the first varsity letterman to graduate with a Bachelor of Architecture Degree. Tommy was rewarded for his play against Alabama in the 1962 Sugar Bowl by being named to the 1962 all-bowl team. He was initiated into the Sigma Chi Fraternity in 1959. Upon graduation Tommy joined the Edward Durell Stone firm in New York City where he worked on such projects as The Kennedy Center for the Arts and the Pine Bluff Civic Center. In 1965 he moved to Memphis to work in the office of Mann and Harrover, which later became Roy P. Harrover & Associates. Tommy designed Schilling Motors and the National Bank of Commerce Office Building that were selected as two of the top ten Memphis buildings of the 1970's decade by his peers. In 1977 Tommy returned to Arkansas to found Polk Shannon Stanley in Little Rock with Jeff Shannon and Joe Stanley. Some of Tommy's designs include The First National Bank and Bell Engineering Center in Fayetteville, and the Adolphine Fletcher Terry Library, Historic Arkansas Museum and U.S. Bankruptcy Courthouse Addition in Little Rock. Tommy became a founding member of the Dean's Circle in the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas, and served on the Advisory Board and the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century. He was awarded both the School of Architecture Distinguished Service Award and the Arkansas Alumni Association Citation of Distinguished Service. In addition to his wife, Carolyn, Tommy is survived by his daughters, Natalie Polk Hoffmann (Jim) of Richmond Hts., Mo., Elizabeth Polk Barzizza (Paul) of Wyoming, OH, and Madeleine Rae Polk of Little Rock, Ark.; Sarah Jane (Melton) Polk, mother of Natalie and Elizabeth, of Fayetteville, Ark.; his grandchildren, Jackson and Remy of Richmond Hts., Mo., and Frank, Avery and George of Wyoming, Ohio; and his niece, Kennetha McClelland (Michael). Tommy was predeceased by his sister, Barbara Polk Hogue (Jim) and his nephew, Ronnie Cornelius. The family would like to express love and appreciation to James Towns for over two years of wonderful care for Tommy. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. May 14, 2019 in the sanctuary of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church with a reception following in the Gathering Hall. Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home of Little Rock. To sign the online register visit www.ruebelfuneralhome.com. In memory of Tommy Polk and his life-long love of architecture, design and the mentoring of intern architects, the family has established the Tommy Ray Polk Endowment for Design Excellence and Professional Advancement. Memorials may be made out to the University of Arkansas Foundation, noted "In memory of Tommy Polk", and mailed to Mary Purvis, Senior Director of Development, Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design, University of Arkansas, 120 Vol Walker Hall, Fayetteville, AR 72701.